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Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Ex Vivo Corneal Organ Culture Model for Wound Healing Studies
Published on: February 15, 2019
Increased postoperative concentrations of tenascin-C in wound fluid
Heikki T Wiik1, Riitta L Kaarteenaho-Wiik, Päivi E Mertaniemi
1Department of Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland. Heikki.Wiik@ppshp.fi
Background:
Tenascin-C (Tn-C) is the most studied member of a family comprising large oligomeric glycoproteins in the extracellular matrix. The function of Tn-C still is unclear, and the levels of Tn-C in human wound fluid have not been studied.
Methods:
The participants in this study were 24 patients referred for elective major gastrointestinal surgery. Concentrations of Tn-C and procollagen propeptides type 1 and type 3 in serum and wound fluid were measured after surgery.
Results:
In wound fluid, Tn-C was present on postoperative day 1, and the concentration increased from day 5 up to day 7.
Conclusions:
The concentration of Tn-C increases postoperatively in wound fluid. The concentration of Tn-C in wound fluid is markedly higher than that of serum. The differences in expression between Tn-C and the procollagen propeptides may reflect different tasks of these extracellular matrix proteins.
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